This month I will be talking to different acts that are taking part in the Brighton Fringe Festival. Today I speak to the team behind Mentalless – a show where comedy and magic combine!

Location: Laughing Horse @ The Walrus
Date: 8th May / 9-11th May
Time: 5:30pm / 9:15pm
Ticket Price: £5-£12 on Sunday / £10 every other day
Link: https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/mentalless-161296/

Hello Mentalless! Tell us about your act ? 

Hi, We are a comedy mind reading magic act! So we will read your mind and make you laugh at the same time. The idea of the show is almost an extreme parody. We play the parts of very arrogant magicians, who have absolutely no reason to be arrogant as it’s clear they are not very smart. However, that being said the magic always still works. It’s…Just that they are right for all the wrong reasons haha

How did you come up with the name of your show that you are taking to the Brighton fringe?

Mentalless is us jamming two words together. ‘Mental’ and ‘less’. Implying that our characters don’t have a brain. It always acts as a pun to mentalism, which is a common magic name for mind reading magic.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It’s definitely a very deadpan comedy haha. with a slap of slapstick as well. Also if you are a fan of magic you will love this because the comedy is never at the sacrifice of the magic. This is real mind reading that has fooled members of the magic circle.

What can people expect from your Brighton Fringe performance?

To have your mind read, and to have an amazing time laughing 

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

Oh 100% looking forward to seeing “CSI Crime Improv” and “Your Flaws the Musicial” I love improv so will be see these, but will be going out of my way to see as much comedy as I can as well.

How are the rehearsals going?

Great! We genuinely have such a blast rehearsing together. It makes the experience of making a show so much better. In fact we sometimes have to snap back into rehearsal mode because we get too carried away having fun haha.

Have you done the fringe before? What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

This is actually my first Fringe show! So I’m very excited. Emma, my stage partner has done Fringe shows before, However she’s in Sweden. So can’t tell you her favorite haha.

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Brighton Fringe next year?

Just do it, the event organisers make it easy to sign up, and it’s a great chance to put your show out there. However saying that I don’t have a ton of experience past this point haha

What is the best thing about performing at the Brighton fringe?

I think what currently excites me the most right now, is getting to be a part of something bigger as a collective group. Most of the shows here are going to be fantastic, but none of us are known yet. We’re mainly underground and indie performers. However, by being a collection of shows we all take on the Brighton Fringe name as well. I think that’s really cool, and love making this show more than a show, but an event!

What are your three favourite things about Brighton?

The beach, the fish and chips, and finally the Palace Pier! I love Brighton

Leafleting and promotion through the streets of Brighton is a huge part of the festival – what are your tips for flyering?

While I haven’t done leafleting In Brighton, I’ve done a ton of leafleting before. I often find the key is to NOT to just give out a leaflet, but to actually talk to them first. Make them laugh, set a positive impression, then give a leaflet. 10 handed out like this is worth 100 given out normally.

Tell us about your average day on a festival show run?

Our plan right now is to promote 4 hours during the day by doing magic on the streets of Brighton, so have a look out for us there haha. after that we will do a couple show runs to warm ourselves up, and perform our show. Any time in between that we will be looking to see other acts.

Performing by the sea as well, that surely makes the fringe all that much more fun?

Right!? Super easy to stay motivated and happy when you can go for a swim at any second haha

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Someone who will laugh at any joke will make it haha. But honestly our dream audience is anyone just looking to have a great time. We don’t set the bar very high here.

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

We just started an instagram page here @Mentallessmagic We are going to be uploading videos of us doing magic across Brihgton on here so keep a look out. Someone you may know might turn up.

And Finally finish this sentence – ‘you should see our show at Brighton Fringe because….

It’s the only show that will blow your mind with magic, and make your belly ache from laughing. Yes that’s right we are planning to hurt your mind, and belly!